Content validation of the nursing diagnosis "Adult Disuse Syndrome": a quantitative study

Purpose: This study aimed to establish the content validity of the proposed nursingdiagnosis (ND) “Adult Disuse Syndrome” and all its components. Method: This is an exploratory descriptive study of diagnostic content validation underFehring’s proposal. Forty three expert nurses with clinical, teaching, and research experi-ence analyzed the components of the diagnosis. The representativeness and relevance ofthe components of the diagnosis under study were evaluated through a Likert-type questionnaire. Data distribution analysis was carried out, and the components were validatedif their content validity index (CVI) was over 0.80. The overall CVI was obtained for the clinical indicators. Findings: A total of 12 defining characteristics (DCs) were validated, 3 etiological factors were highly related, 6 risk populations were confirmed, and 11 conditions were consid-ered associated. Most validated DCs refer to the physical dimension, but those focusingon the psychological and social dimensions were also validated. The etiological factorswere related to the effects of immobility. The risk populations were validated in different contexts or situations, and associated conditions were mainly oriented toward chronic conditions. Conclusions: This study validated the content of the elements of the proposed ND “AdultDisuse Syndrome.” These were considered relevant and appropriate by both academicand clinical experts. Implications for nursing practice: The content validation by experts of the componentsof the ND “Adult Disuse Syndrome” provides nurses with a tool for the identification ofthe phenomenon that exceeds the risk and occurs frequently in patients exposed to theeffects of immobility. At the same time, it will guide the results pursued in the care planand the application of the respective nursing and interdisciplinary interventions that favor the reduction of the complications derived from disuse.